What is Chile famous for?

Chile is famous for the Atacama Desert (the world's driest), Torres del Paine in Patagonia, the El Tatio Geysers, Easter Island, world-class wine, and some of the clearest night skies on earth for stargazing.

Is altitude an issue in Chile?

The Atacama region sits at 2,400m and the Jama Pass at 4,200m. Allow time to acclimatise and stay well hydrated.

How big are your Chile group tours?

Our Chile group tours have a maximum of 12 travellers, ensuring personalised experiences in remote areas.

What should I pack for a Chile tour?

Layers are essential. Patagonia is famously windy and changeable; the Atacama has intense sun by day and cold nights. Bring sun protection, sturdy walking shoes and a warm down layer.

Are internal flights included?

Yes — all internal flights specified in the itinerary are included.

ChileFrom £5,6903 tours

Chile Tours & Holidays

Chile holidays from the Atacama Desert to Torres del Paine — extraordinary landscapes, the world's clearest night skies and South America's most varied geography

Best timeNov–Mar (Patagonia); year-round (Atacama)
Time zoneCLT (UTC-4 mainland)
CurrencyChilean Peso (CLP)
LanguageSpanish (official) & English (tourist areas)
Travel styleSmall group adventure, wilderness & cultural
TransportInternal flights, 4x4s, scenic drives & trekking
VisaVisa-free (up to 90 days) for UK, US, EU, CAN & AUS

Overview

An introduction to Chile

Chile tours offer some of the most extreme and varied geography on Earth, stretching more than 4,000 kilometres between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. In the north, the hyper-arid Atacama Desert — the driest non-polar desert on the planet — is reached via the spectacular 4,200m Jama Pass, leading to San Pedro de Atacama and a landscape of flamingo-filled lagoons, vast salt flats, the El Tatio Geysers, and the lunar scenery of Valle de la Luna.

Further south, Chile small group tours reveal the dramatic wilderness of Patagonia, including the iconic granite towers of Torres del Paine National Park, the Strait of Magellan, and the remote landscapes of Tierra del Fuego. Alongside these natural highlights, Chile’s culture blends Indigenous Andean traditions, Spanish colonial heritage, and modern Latin American identity — making our Chile holidays as rewarding culturally as they are visually.

Explore

Chile

Our journeys

Tours in Chile

Small-group departures led by local experts, plus private tailor-made itineraries shaped around your interests, pace and dates.

Argentina and Chile Glaciers and Peaks of Patagonia

This epic journey takes you from El Calafate to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, at the very edge of South America. Along the way, you’ll witness the dramatic peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre—two of Patagonia’s most iconic mountains—stand in awe before the immense Perito Moreno Glacier, and cross the historic Magellan Strait into Tierra del Fuego. From glacier walks to windswept landscapes at the end of the world, this adventure showcases the very best of our Argentina Tours .

From

£5,690

Argentina and Chile Puna & Atacama Experience

Discover the hidden beauty of the North West of Argentina and Chile. Located between Salta to the west and the borders of Chile and Bolivia this elevated plateau of wildly striking and desolate landscapes is filled with the sights of salt flats, flamingos, ancient Inca trails, desert labyrinths and herds of llamas and vicuñas. On this Argentina group tour, we travel through the magnificent Puna from Tolar Grande right down to the frontier-town of El Penon, stopping at the various sights. From salt lakes to extraordinary colours, flamingos, clay deserts, dunes, strangely eroded atolls and pumice fields you will feel like the only people in this Mars- like landscape.

From

£5,750

Argentina, Chile and Bolivia Explorer

Come and discover the hidden beauty of the northern regions of Argentina and Chile, followed by an in-depth journey across Bolivia. After meeting up with your fellow travellers in Buenos Aires we head north to the charming city of Salta from where we explore Argentina’s little visited Puna region and the Atacama Desert in neighbouring Chile. Discover an elevated plateau of wildly striking and desolate landscapes filled with the sights of salt flats, flamingos, ancient Inca trails, desert labyrinths and herds of llamas and vicuñas.

From

£8,295

All tours

Why visit

What makes Chile worth the journey

A place apart

Geographic Extremes

Experience the world's driest desert and Patagonia's vast ice fields in a single country.

Pure Night Skies

Stargaze under the clearest, darkest skies on the planet from the high Atacama.

Iconic Patagonia Trekking

Hike Torres del Paine, one of the world's great wilderness regions.

Cultural Depth

Discover a culture rooted in Indigenous Andean traditions and Spanish colonial heritage.

See itineraries

Next departure to Chile

Argentina and Chile Puna & Atacama Experience

8 Sept 2026Guaranteed departurefrom £5,750 pp

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Highlights

The highlights of Chile

Jama Pass to San Pedro de Atacama

Cross the Andes at 4,200m and descend into the Atacama oasis of San Pedro at sunset.

El Tatio Geysers

Watch over 80 geysers erupt at dawn in the world's third-largest geothermal field.

Valle de la Luna

Marvel at the surreal "Valley of the Moon" with its salt formations, dunes and golden sunsets.

Salinas Grandes

Traverse a salt flat covering more than 30,000 acres beneath dazzling Altiplano skies.

Atacama Stargazing

Marvel at the clearest skies on earth in the world's most renowned astronomy destination.

Altiplano Lagoons

Spot flamingos feeding on mineral-rich lakes set against snow-capped volcanoes.

Torres del Paine National Park

Trek beneath the iconic granite towers that define Chilean Patagonia.

Strait of Magellan & Tierra del Fuego

Cross the historic waterway and venture into the remote wilderness at the tip of South America.

Places to Explore

Places to explore in Chile

Chile rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.

From the field

When to go

Picking the right season for your trip

The best time to visit Chile depends on the region. Patagonia is best visited during the Southern Hemisphere summer from November to March, when conditions allow for trekking in Torres del Paine — though Patagonia's wind is a year-round constant. The Atacama Desert in the north is virtually rainless and can be visited year-round; days are warm and sunny while nights at altitude are very cold, particularly between June and August. For stargazing in the Atacama, clear-sky nights are abundant throughout the year, and the high-altitude lagoons are at their most photogenic in the cool dry months.

Live weather

Chile

Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our Chile tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.

From the journal

Stories from the region

Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.

All Chile stories

Latin America

The Best Things to Do in Chile That Go Far Beyond the Tourist Trail

The best things to do in Chile span over 4,300 km — from the driest desert on Earth to the glacial fjords of Patagonia. Highlights include the geysers and flamingo lakes of the Atacama, the granite towers of Torres del Paine, and remote Patagonian boat journeys few travellers ever reach. This guide goes beyond the standard itinerary to show you where Chile’s real rewards lie.

Jim Louth·18 Jun 2026

Latin America

What to See in Chile: A Journey from the Atacama to Patagonia

Chile stretches over 4,300 kilometres from the driest desert on earth to the glaciers of Patagonia, making it one of South America’s most geographically diverse countries. The best places to visit in Chile include the Atacama Desert, Torres del Paine, Chiloé Island, and the volcanic Lake District — each a distinct world. This guide takes you through them all, structured as a journey from north to south, with practical advice on how to see Chile properly.

Jim Louth·10 Jun 2026

Latin America

What to Do in El Calafate, Argentina: A Complete Guide to Patagonia's Glacier Capital

El Calafate is southern Patagonia's glacier gateway — a small lakeside town in Santa Cruz Province best known as the base for visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier. Beyond the ice, there's wildlife-watching at Laguna Nimez, estancia visits, and day trips to El Chaltén and Torres del Paine. Most travellers stay several days, using the town as a launchpad for boat trips, glacier walks, and the wider Patagonian region beyond it.

Jim Louth·22 Jul 2026

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.

“A full-on adventure made memorable despite illness. When bronchitis forced changes to the itinerary, Undiscovered Destinations and their local team responded brilliantly, rearranging everything, providing constant support and removing all the stress. Exceptional care throughout.”

Grete Howard

Argentina · UK

“Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.”

Bernice Hird

“Excellent customer service, reliable itineraries and ability to solve local issues when they arise”

Gustavo Musto

Uruguay

“I like the small size of groups, the range of destinations and excellent itineraries. This is my third holiday with your company and I have found your itineraries really good.”

Traveller from the UK

“London to Istanbul by train - great trip from concept to execution. Very glad to have participated. Mark was an excellent and empathetic leader. ”

Ken Nathanson

Hong Kong

“Excellent company to book with. Complex tour mostly delivered as per itinerary with professional and pleasant local representatives. ”

Adam Choonara

“Jason was outstanding, patiently answering my many questions about the Senegal trip, particularly regarding accessibility. He was professional, supportive, warm and friendly, giving me the confidence to book. I truly appreciate his exceptional service and support.”

Ramnit Bassi

“Undiscovered Destinations is able to find wonderful support staff and will go to the far corners of the earth.”

Patricia Taylor

“This is my third trip with UD and all have been first rate. ”

Judith Hoyle

“I am very satisfied with every trip that I have doe with you since you match my interests in culture and tribal peoples.”

Eric Ferkins

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Chile journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip

Gallery

Scenes from Chile

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Tailor-made journeys

Didn’t find your
perfect Chile trip?

We’ll build one around you.

Chile's vast geography makes tailor-made travel particularly rewarding. A bespoke Chile holiday lets you combine the Atacama Desert — its geysers, salt flats and dark skies — with Patagonia's glaciers and the granite towers of Torres del Paine, at your own pace and with your chosen level of comfort. Whether you're a stargazer drawn to San Pedro de Atacama, a trekker bound for Torres del Paine, or an explorer seeking the very tip of South America in Tierra del Fuego, our team will design every detail around your interests. Multi-country itineraries linking Chile with Argentina or Bolivia's Uyuni Salt Flats can also be organised for a deeper South American adventure.

Your dates

Travel when it suits you

Private group

Just you, family or friends

Your pace

Linger longer, skip the rest

Bespoke extras

Private guides, rare access

Start planning your trip Speak to a specialist

Typical reply within 3 working days · No obligation · Trusted by travellers since 2004

How it works

1Tell us what you have in mind
2We build an itinerary + quote
3Refine until it feels right

Est. 2004

20+ years of
bespoke travel

Questions, answered

Planning a trip to Chile?

Chile is famous for the Atacama Desert (the world's driest), Torres del Paine in Patagonia, the El Tatio Geysers, Easter Island, world-class wine, and some of the clearest night skies on earth for stargazing.

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

Before travelling, consult the latest UK FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/chile. Chile is generally very safe for travellers; standard precautions against petty crime apply in larger cities. US travellers should check travel.state.gov for current guidance.